A Guide To Indiana National Parks – Latest Guide

BY  Nabamita Feb 13, 2024

Before packing your first box, make sure to notify your utility and service providers of your move date and new address. This includes essential services like gas, electricity, water, internet, phone, and cable or satellite TV. Notifying them in advance ensures you receive a final bill for service at your old address so you can pay any remaining balance. Provide the exact date the service should stop and your new address where the service should start. Also give them a forwarding address for the final bill, which may come later. Taking these proactive notification steps alleviates headaches from missed bills or payments during a busy move. Avoid Bill Surprises While On The Go Constantly traveling or relocating for extended periods can make paying and keeping track of utility bills a real headache. Set your accounts for automatic and paperless billing to avoid missing payments or getting hit with late fees. Have electric, gas, cable, internet, phone, and other bills set to autopay directly from your bank account every month while you are away, and make sure you have enough funds available to cover those payments? Also, set up your accounts so that bills can be viewed and managed electronically online through each provider's website. Retail expert movers recommend routing all bills and statements to a trusted relative or P.O. box that will forward your mail to wherever you end up. With a few preparatory steps before locking up and heading out, you can travel worry-free knowing vital services won't be disconnected. Forward Important Mail During Transitions Whether you're moving across town or traveling overseas for months at a time, don't let lapses in mail service leave you in the dark on important communications. Before an upcoming move, submit a change of address to the post office so mail gets routed to your new residence or a trusted contact. This ensures you receive mail from utility companies, banks, insurance providers, and other services during the transition process. If taking an extended trip, have the post office hold your mail until you return or forward it to a friend or family member who can scan and email you anything urgent. This way bills, legal documents, and other correspondence don't pile up unchecked at your empty house while you're gone for weeks or months. Staying up-to-date on mail prevents unexpected issues. Read Also: Corporate Travel Redefined: The Power Of Taxi Amsterdam For Business Rides Streamline Services While Away When you're preparing for an extended time away from home, look at temporarily suspending non-vital home services to save money. Cable TV and internet packages often tack on fees, so you end up paying for services never used. Before an extended trip or during slow relocation periods: Put cable TV services on seasonal hold - once reactivated, retain your previous channel package without added fees Suspend internet if wireless access is not essential during your time away Stop newspaper delivery which will pile up unread Place gym memberships on hold status so monthly fees aren't wasted Disable alarm monitoring systems with the assurance of quick reactivation Pausing unnecessary utilities and home services over weeks or months gives savings that add up. Most providers let you conveniently pick up where you left off for seamless transitions. As the Federal Communications Commission notes, be aware of any terms or conditions associated with temporarily discontinuing services. With some advanced planning, you can streamline the services you actually need and forego the rest while you’re away. Get Seasonal Utility Rates For Long Trips When planning for an extended trip spanning multiple seasons, take advantage of many utility providers' seasonal service plans to maximize savings. Call your gas, electric, and water companies to inquire if they offer special rates for customers who will be away for months at a stretch–common for snowbird travelers and those holding up somewhere warm for the frigid winter months. Oftentimes providers give breaks on standard bills when they know in advance you won't actually be occupying the home to use services for a fixed duration. Find out what options are readily available for putting gas, electric, water, and even cable on hold status just until your return, even if you come back at a different time annually. Checking on special cost-saving programs specific to extended seasonal gaps in service can pay off. This allows flexible travelers focused on warm weather destinations to save a little more towards their next adventure on the road. Reconnect Services Upon Returning Home Don't come home to a property full of shut-off notices! Be proactive by scheduling and confirming the reactivation of utility and home services shortly before your return. A few days ahead: Call the cable company to reopen service on your scheduled move-in date - this prevents lagging connections. Have the power company resume electrical service by your designated date to avoid dark, warm apartments. Reactivate your home internet modem and wireless router to get back online for work and entertainment needs as soon as you arrive. Resume your garbage pickup on the day you move back to prevent waste pile-ups. As cautioned by USA.gov's household services guidance, don't assume providers will automatically switch your accounts back on. After lengthy absences, directly request all services be transferred or started at your location effective on the precise date of your arrival to avoid any lapses. Scheduling ahead alleviates having to reboot utilities one by one after coming home tired from travel. Instead, enjoy seamless access to functioning appliances, climate control, and amenities. Planning Ahead Minimizes Headaches Whether you're frequently on the go or planning an extended getaway, don't let utility billing and services fall by the wayside. With some advance preparation before transitions, you can redirect mail, suspend non-essential accounts, take advantage of seasonal rates, and seamlessly reconnect everything upon returning home. Staying actively informed and visible to providers while away reduces the chances of penalties, confusion, or disruptions down the road. A few simple proactive tasks like automating payments or consolidating bills to one trusted advisor can alleviate countless headaches. Embrace solutions that simplify managing obligations from afar. The little time invested upfront in organizing your affairs makes for smooth travels every step of the journey. Read Also: Sands Of Splendor: Luxurious Desert Safari Experiences In Dubai 20 Of The Best Places To Travel In Africa In 2024 6 Best Destinations For A Safari In Kenya

BY  Sibashree Jan 18, 2025

Plainfield, Indiana is a great place to live as a couple and grow as a family. Despite being a village, Plainfield offers decent job opportunities in the fields of healthcare, nursing, and food.  Further, Plainfield offers delightful shopping experiences thanks to the presence of local boutiques, antique shops, and outdoor shopping facilities. You will also love collecting chocolates.  However, if you are living here as a couple and into full-time occupations, you will look for relaxation during the weekend. So, at Tour and Travel, we thought of creating a guide on the things to do in  Plainfield Indiana, for couples this weekend. Things To Do In Plainfield Indiana For Couples This Weekend | Attractions You Can’t Miss With an area of 25.8 square miles, Plainfield Indiana is a favorite of tourists, and the locals also enjoy the weekend activities here.  Further, during the summer months of June to August, the weather here remains warm and sunny. So, it is the best time to visit the Indiana village.  Nevertheless, as promised, here is the curated list of the things to do in Plainfield Indiana, for couples this weekend. 1. A Visit To The Sodalis Nature Park https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXUJiZOs_U/ Address: 955 E. Main Street, Danville, Indiana Contact Number: (317) 718-6188 Hours Open: 6 AM to 9:30 PM The Sodalis Nature Park gets its name from Myotis Sodalis, the endangered bat species of Indiana. It is a popular picnic spot for families and couples with a pond. You can go fishing at this pond of 5.5 acres.  Further, the 3.5 miles of nature trails here are great for hiking and exploring the park. These are loop trails and are connected to each other. Each trail will take you to different parts of the park. Some popular trails here are Bat Ridge and Beaver Loop. Also, this park has long stretches of reforestation area and mature woodlands. As a result, the park has become the home to many wildlife species in Indiana. The Sodalis Nature Park is now known as the Echo Hollow Nature Park. Even if you don’t want to participate in the activities here, you can just sit and talk with your partner. It is the ideal place for a low-key romantic date.  2. Exploring The Country Heritage Winery https://www.instagram.com/p/DCrfr3JR9JK/ Address: 185 Co Road 68, Laotto, IN  Contact No: +1 260-637-2980 Hours Open: Sunday to Thursday (11 AM to 8 PM) and Friday to Saturday(11 AM to 9 PM) Generations of family heritage, a vast wine field, and a thorough journey of wine processing! You can experience all these at the Country Heritage Winery.  Jennifer and Jeremy Lutter are now at the helm of this winery and have a deep passion for winemaking. Today, the largest winery in the state has seven varieties of grapes. So, naturally, the wines you will get to taste here are eclectic, from dry red to sparkling rose. Overall, this 101 acres of winery is a complete wonder for connoisseurs. 3. Relax At The Swinford Park Address: 1007 Longfellow Lane, Plainfield, Indiana Phone Number: +1 317-839-7665 Hours Open: 6 AM to 9 PM This 25-acre park in Plainfield, Indiana, is a great outdoor place for relaxation. Further, you will find the following outdoor activities here. 8 Pickleball Courts Horseshoe Pits Baseball Diamonds Shelter House Another great thing about Swinford Park is that it is a dog-friendly park. You can take your furry friend on a leash for a walk here. There is even a subscription-based dog park on the south of Swinford Park.  However, you must ensure your dog does not enter the baseball diamonds.  4. Visiting The W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park Address: 4521 Gibbs Road, Danville, Indiana Contact Number: +1 317-718-6188 Hours Open: 6 AM to 9 PM Entry: Free W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park is one of the newest additions if you want to know the best things to do in Plainfield Indiana. This park, currently spanning over an area of 70 acres, has two ponds and a hill.  You can hike to the top of the 30-foot high hill, artificially made with pond soil. Further, once you reach the hilltop, you will find resting benches and young plants welcoming you. You can relax there, enjoy the vista, and take photographs.  Further, the ponds here look beautiful with the docks. These are ADA-accessible, and you will find a couple of picnic tables here.  Moreover, the park has a disc golf course. This 18-hole disc golf course has players and visitors from dawn to dusk. It is also fun to navigate through the native prairie grasses grown here, and the wooded area will take you to the artificial hill in the park. Do you want a more calming experience at the park? The ponds here have redear fingerlings, bluegill, bass, and channel catfish. The fish here have already reached harvestable size.  So, you can relax on the pond docks and try catching some young fish. 5. Spending Quality Time At Friendship Gardens Park Address: 900-932 E County Road 750 East, Plainfield, Indiana Hours Open: 7 AM to 9 PM Contact Number: (888) 795-3475 Home to a Veterans' Memorial, the Friendship Gardens Park is one of the most peaceful places for a weekend hangout in Plainfield Indiana. Further, the landscape of this park and the stone waterfall add to the appeal of Plainfield Park.  However, the Gazebo Pavilion at the park's center is the biggest attraction for regular visitors. Many small gatherings or wedding events are organized here. It can accommodate up to 75 guests.  Moreover, when at the park, don’t forget to visit the iron truss bridge.  6. Enjoying A Food Tour Of Plainfield, Indiana  A lot can happen at Plainfield over good food and coffee. So, trying the specialties like brisket sandwiches can be one of the best things to do in Plainfield Indiana, for couples this weekend.  Beef briskets, chicken burgers, and pizza are some of the other delicacies you will love to try in Plainfield.  Can’t decide where you will eat out at Plainfield this weekend? Here are some of our favorites. Best Restaurants In Plainfield IndianaAddressContactThe Garage Food Hall906 Carrollton Avenue Indianapolis(317) 556-1252Stone Creek Dining Company2539 Perry Crossing Way Ste 150 Plainfield, Indiana(317) 837-9100LumberjAXE351 Marketplace Mile Ste 140 Plainfield(317) 742-7207 Enjoy your meal at these places and enjoy quality time with your S/O.  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  Sibashree Aug 12, 2024

Gates of the Arctic National Park is where the Brooks Range and the Tundra landscape come to life with wilderness and vivid topography. This national park is a place of topographical diversity with the coexistence of mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, and marshy lands.  A home to nomadic people for more than 13,000 years, the Gates of the Arctic is a prominent example of how human lives can be dependent on wilderness or nature. Many visitors love backpacking and trekking in this national park. Further, many stay in camps in the backcountry to experience its rich wildlife despite the challenges. Do you want to know why camping in the backcountry is worth the hardship? Does the national park have camping sites? Find the answers to all your questions in this guide.  Knowing The Gates Of The Arctic National Park (Why Camping Here Is A Great Experience) The Gates Of The Arctic National Park is a paradise for wilderness travelers. The intriguing land of Tundra, embraced by jungles, mountains, and rivers, makes camping in the backcountry worth all the effort.  Gates Of The Arctic Geography You can explore the arctic geography of this national park by trekking or by air. Tundra peaks and the Schwatka Mountains region of the Brooks Range ensure a humbling experience. You trek to Mount Igikpak, a glacier-carved peak with an 8,510-foot elevation. Another mountain to have glaciers in this region is Mount Arrigetch. Even backpacking and trekking to Mount Doonerak have a distinct charm, as the mountain is the quintessence of wilderness and unadulterated beauty.  Further, this national park has six designated wild rivers. Those are: Alatna River John River Kobuk River Noatak River North Fork of the Koyukuk River Tinayguk River Alatna and Noatak are great for canoeing. If you want more adventurous pursuits, you can try rafting in Nigu (to the north) and Kobuk (to the west).  Gates Of The Arctic Wildlife  The Gates of the Arctic is home to many mammals and birds. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says,   “Forested southern foothills rise to limestone and granite peaks more than 7,000 feet high in this remote wilderness park. North of the peaks, clear water rivers run through glacier-carved valleys; and Tundra, covered with wildflowers during the brief northern summer, stretches toward the Arctic Ocean. Many of the nearly 500,000 member Western Arctic caribou herd migrate through the park each fall. Brown and black bear, wolf, Dall sheep, lynx, moose, wolverine, and red fox live here year-round. In the spring, the park hosts migratory birds from Europe, South America, Asia, tropical archipelagos, and the continental U.S.” Other animals found in this national park are grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and musk oxen. Among the birds, Tundra swans, common loons, and golden eagles are the most common.  Further, if you enjoy the playfulness of aquatic animals, watch out for graylings, trouts, sheefish and salmon.  Gates Of The Arctic And Human History  The Gates of the Arctic is a prominent place for archaeological research. The study and interpretations of the museum collections depict how people have been surviving in the Brooks Range for around 13000 years now.  Along with Inupiat, Nunamiut, and Athapaskan descendants, you will also find many non-native Alaskan people in this region. These people have always been dependent on fishing and hunting. The wilderness of the Gates of the Arctic is the foundation of their livelihood.  What Is The Best Camping Near Gates Of The Arctic National Park? With marshy lands and tussocks, Arctic Tundra has a vulnerable landscape and it is difficult to find a steady spot for setting up camps or tents. Also, the existence of wildlife in a remote location and dense vegetation make the space unsuitable for camping.  So, there is NO CAMPING SITE in the Gates of the Arctic National Park. There are designated areas in the backcountry for camping. However, you will have to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the national park when putting up a tent.  You must also attend the orientation program and be particular about the gear, food, and safety essentials to be carried.  With permission from the park authority and the National Park Service, you can set up tents near the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot or around Wiseman and Bettles communities.  However, while camping in the backcountry, you will have to keep the following factors in mind.  Be respectful to the local communities like the Koyukon Athabascan Indians or Nunamiut. Their livelihood depends on the wilderness.  There are no provisions for running water, a dump station, or restrooms. Your phone network will be unavailable in this location. You have to carry all your trash back as you leave the camping site. You cannot adulterate the pristineness of the location.  If you have plans for camping in the backcountry near the Gates of the Arctic, summer is the best season. The temperature is a little moderate on these days, and sunnier days make all outdoor pursuits in the park easier for you.  Did You Know?  The Gates of the Arctic National Park is the second-largest national park in the USA. It stretches over 13,000 square miles. You can see aurora borealis from this park if you visit between November and March.  July and August are the best months to visit Gates of the Arctic National Park for hiking and backpacking.  Bob Marshall, a wilderness advocate, named this national park “Gates of the Arctic.” Final Words  Unlike popular national parks like the Biscayne National Park or the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Gates of the Arctic National Park does not have many visitors yearly. In 2023, only 11,045 tourists flocked to this place. (Source) With a diversity in topography and wildlife and an association with human history, this park has much to explore. However, the extreme trekking conditions and wilderness make it far from an easy excursion or trekking experience. Despite the absence of campgrounds in this park, you can camp in the backcountry at the designated spots in the fields. However, only an experienced backpacker should try it with proper orientation and extra safety measures. Have you ever been to this wild and intriguing national park? Do you have any camping experience in the backcountry? Don’t forget to share your experience with us!  Gates Of The Arctic National Park FAQs  Can You Camp In The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Only backcountry camping is possible in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The absence of roads, villages, or facilities makes this area unsuitable for having designated campsites. Backpacking and hiking are the best ways to explore this vast landscape with rich wildlife and geographical interests.  Can You Stay In Gates Of The Arctic National Park? You can stay or try backcountry camping near the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Undefined terrains, wilderness, and a lack of modern amenities make it risky to put up camps in the national park. Even to camp in the backcountry, you will need the highest outdoor survival skills. The arctic ecosystem, topography, and weather conditions are different, and if you are confident enough to stay in the backcountry, plan in advance and get in touch with the Park and Preserve authorities for updates and advisories.  How Much Does It Cost To Visit The Gates Of The Arctic National Park? You don’t have to pay entry fees to visit the Gates of The Arctic National Park. However, you must attend the backcountry orientation program at any of the visitor centers.  In this way, the Gates of The Arctic National Park is different from other national parks as most of them demand an entrance fee.  How Difficult Is It To Get To The Gates Of The Arctic National Park? The Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park. So, as you enter the park, hiking is the best way to explore. Remember, it is home to the Schwatka Mountains region of the Brooks Range and the highest peak here is Mount Igikpak with an 8,510-foot elevation.  So, exploring the national park is not going to be a cakewalk. A lack of established trails further makes hiking difficult.  Further, there are six designated rivers, including Koyukuk and Dietrich, in this national park. So, you will have to pass through multiple meandering river crossings. The water levels of these rivers keep fluctuating throughout the season. They are furious throughout the spring season. Tussocks, marshy lands and dense vegetation are other hurdles to your fast movement while trekking.  Do you want to visit the backcountry? You can take a bush plane operated by permitted pilots with knowledge of the region.  What Is Special About Gates Of The Arctic? The Gates of the Arctic is special because of its geographical uniqueness, rich wildlife, and significance in human history. The glacier-carved valleys, rivers, and ancient trails make the Gates Of The Arctic a favorite destination for backpacking and hiking. Thanks to its geographical typicalness, you will meet many animals and birds. The adorable grizzly bears will be seen feeding, and the musk oxen are another unique animal you must watch out for. If you are a birder, you will love watching the golden eagles, Tundra swans, or common loons.  Near the Nigu River or throughout the park, you will find stone fences and camping rings. These are a testament to how Inland Eskimos or Nunamiut have lived in this region for thousands of years. They survived on fishing and hunting.  In addition, as I pen this guide, I must tell you that the Gates Of The Arctic National Park is going to celebrate its 45th anniversary of designation next year. First, it became a national monument on 1st December 1978. In 1980, it became a national park and preserve. Also read Italy: Is Florence flat or hilly? Ultimate Guide to Your Next Family Vacation in Israel. The Glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: Experience The Magnificence Of Nature.